Reverend Keith Sinclair will be consecrated as Bishop of Birkenhead in York Minster next Thursday.

Revd Sinclair, who immediately before his appointment was Vicar of the Holy Trinity in Coventry, was welcomed to Wirral at ceremony at Wallasey Town Hall last December.

The married father-of-three told how he is looking forward to facing new challenges and meeting the community.

The London-born priest has been preparing for his new role as a "suffragan" bishop in the Diocese of Chester.

At the December welcoming ceremony, local church and civic leaders met the bishop; his wife Rosemary, a family law lecturer, and their children Peter, 14, Anna, 13, and David 10.

Revd Sinclair told of his excitement about moving to Wirral: "I am very much looking forward to meeting the clergy and reaching out to different age groups within the community.

"My wife and I at different times were in Merseyside during the 1980s and have really good memories so we are keen to explore and get to know people."

In his new role, he will assist the Bishop of Chester in leading the diocese, particularly the western half stretching from Warrington to Wallasey and including Runcorn, Chester and rural areas.

He is a sports fan, particularly keen on rugby union and he enjoys walking and watching films.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral, Cllr Peter and Mrs Mary Johnson, will attend the ceremony at York.